Interviews

The Spec Script Library

Screenwriter : J. Newman

J. lives in Hendersonville, North Carolina,
in the good ole' U.S. of A. and doesn't think he would ever want to live
anywhere else

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What is your passion?

My passion is my writing. While I WILL admit to getting lazy sometimes,
it's the only thing that keeps me going . . . the desire to get a story out of my head and down on paper (or on the computer, I guess I should say).

And there's nothing like that feeling of pride when said story is finished,
and it's time (after a few rewrites and polishes, of course)
to let the world see it.

What is your pride?

Next to the pride I feel every time I look at -- or even THINK about -- my lovely wife, Glenda . . . once again, I guess I'd say my writing. I thank God every day for the talent he gave me, and that maybe one day I can make a living off of it.

What is your greatest fear?

Spiders!!! Aaaaaarghhhhhhhhhh! I can't STAND @&*#@ SPIDERS!!!!! :) But next to that, the fear of just BEING ALONE. Without my wife, without friends. I really don't think I'd be able to handle that.

What does adversity do to you?

To be perfectly honest, it gets me down at first. But then I rise above it, and it only makes me stronger in the long-run.

What is your best quality?

I would have to say my sense of humor. At least, that's what people tell me. I'm always making up some wild little story for situations that arise in life. (And usually it's a sick and twisted, blackly-comedic story :)

What is your worst quality?

Probably my horribly short attention span. I have a bad habit of losing interest really fast if what/who I'm watching/listening to doesn't totally intrigue me.

What irksome habits do you have?

My pack-and-a-half-a-day smoking habit. And biting my nails until I no longer have any! Oh, well. I'm a high-strung kinda guy, I guess . . .

If you could have your time again, what would you do that is different?

Ate healthier, not started smoking. Went to college.
Stayed away from "bad girls." :)

What would you like to change about yourself? About others?

The one thing I wish I could change about myself would be my short attention span. Because it sometimes interferes with my writing, too. I'll be doing great on a story, making progress, and then I'll lose interest in that one for another "better" story that comes along and pops in my head. As far as other people? Hmmm . . . I'd probably like to rid them of prejudice. There's still too much of that going around.

How important is goal setting to you?

Very important. It's the only thing that keeps me going whenever this writing thing gets tedious at times. And -- once again going back to the "short attention span" thing -- it's the only thing, sometimes, that MAKES me finish the current story I'm working on.

What goals do you have?

My main goal right now is to see my first screenplay produced and released as a movie. I would also like to release an album with my hard rock band Rising Power one day.

What is your ultimate goal?

My ultimate goal is to swing this writing thing into a full-time gig. :)

What heroes do you have?

My heroes . . . hmmm . . . I've never really thought about that one. First to come to mind would be my MOM, believe it or not. Because she always told me I had the talent to be anything I wanted to be. Ever since I was a little kid she's taken the time to sit down and listen -- with a constant look of pride upon her face the whole while -- as I read her my stories about monsters and other creepy-crawlies. :) Another "hero" of mine would be director John Carpenter. I've always loved his style and the fact that he does what he wants to do, whether it's "hip" or not. His movies THE THING, THE FOG, and HALLOWEEN were some of the earliest memories I had of being . . . well, SCARED SHITLESS, to put it bluntly. :D Bentley Little, I suppose, would be another major influence. Not many people have heard of Little, but he's an author who -- while only a "cult" figure right now -- honestly deserves to be the biggest writer of all time. The guy keeps slogging away, making very little money but continually putting out incredibly original -- and SCARY -- novels.

What inspires you in others?

People who do what they want to do, whether it's "cool" to do so or not.

What inspires you in yourself?

Not to sound TOO arrogant here, but looking at some of my best stuff and realizing the talent God gave me.

What will be written on your headstone?

"Don't Cry For Me . . . I'll See You On the Other Side."

What does success mean to you?

Success means doing what you want to do 100%. Being able to make a living off something you enjoy doing. Being happy.

How do you measure success?

See above.

What are your pet hates?

Prejudice, bigotry. Rude civil servants/counter clerks. People who can't drive! :) But especially . . . people who think their opinions are the "be all, end all." I've lost so many friends over that last one -- I can't stand people who think that just 'cause they don't like it don't mean it ain't no good. Opinions are like . . .
you know the rest. :)

What are your pet loves?

Hard rock music, horror movies and horror movie soundtracks.
Good blues. Chocolate! :D

What do you think of pets?

Love 'em. I have a cat who's my best friend,
and my wife and I plan on getting a dog soon.
Probably a German Shepherd.

When are you happiest?

When my wife and I are watching an especially good movie together.

When are you hardest to please?

When it comes to my writing . . . I'm a perfectionist, have to actually MAKE myself stop rewriting/polishing and realize after a while that ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!

What has been your most embarrassing moment?

Too embaressing to even print here. :)

What's the most exhilarating thing you have done?

The first contest I ever won (for my short story "Soft In the Middle") was quite exhilerating.

What is it about screen writing that gets your fired?

The thought of seeing that movie I WROTE (!) up there on the big screen . . .
MY vision, my creation.

What screenplays have you written?

One completed screenplay, BAD ROAD, which is a thriller/road-movie. And I'm currently about halfway through my second one, a "teen horror" anthology entitled (tentatively) ONE DARK NIGHT. . . . with tons more ideas ready to go! :)

What is your favorite pastime?

Reading, watching movies, and listening to music.

What is your favorite motto?

That's a tough one. There are so many that I love, though most of them come from lines in songs. How about . . . "Life is what you make of it."

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If you would like to contact J.
please mail him

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